I still consider myself beginner when it comes to sewing so I am afraid to alter it myself. I want to turn it into a strapless sweetheart dress. I took it to a local wedding shop to have them give me a quote and they quoted me $500 because they have to make a bodice with boning and attach the dress to that so that it will stay up. That it the major alteration. I minor on is that it needs to be taking in about 0.5" on the sides around the waist. I am comfortable with doing the minor alteration but I have never made a bodice that needs boning in it. Any suggestion on a simple patter for a bodice and the best material to use for it? Also, I will accept recommendations for seamstresses in The LA/ Ventura County area being that I am terrified to mess up and ruin the dress.